Blood clots create potential health risk, say experts

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 18

Experts have stressed to raise awareness regarding thrombosis and its complications, especially in people identified to be at “high risk”. Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) in a blood vessel such as an artery or vein that slows or stops supply of blood to tissues and organs.

“Thrombus or blood clot is often-preventable cause of a heart attack and stroke. However, the third biggest cause of cardiovascular death is the lesser understood problem of venous thromboembolism (VTE),” said Dr Ravul Jindal, Director, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Fortis Hospital.

Venous thromboembolism is a condition in which blood clots form most often in deep veins of the leg or pelvis and lodge in the lungs, known as pulmonary embolism (PE).

He further said, “Although thrombosis-related heart attacks and strokes remain a big concern, people must understand that VTE can be equally dangerous. DVT is a serious condition that can cause long-term health complications. Besides the potentially fatal PE, a clot in a vein can also cause permanent damage to the valves.”

Awareness and proactive assessment of one’s risk and symptoms is critical to protect oneself from a life-threatening blood clot.Risk factors for DVT include personal or family history of DVT, hormone therapy for birth control or to reduce post-menopausal symptoms, pregnancy and up to six weeks of child birth, injury due to surgery, a broken bone or other trauma, prolonged lack of movement due to hospitalisation, illness, injury, paralysis or lengthy travel, inherited blood disorders, obesity, malignancy and smoking. DVT symptoms include swelling, pain or tenderness, skin that’s warm and red or discolored skin, added another expert from the city.

The doctor pointed out that approximately 50 per cent people with DVT experience no symptoms at all. He said it is even more important for ‘high risk’ individuals to get screened regularly for blood clots. Screening tests include ultrasound imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or CT scan.

“Early diagnosis and treatment of DVT can often lead to recovery. Recent advances in technology have brought forth a variety of minimally invasive procedures to relieve DVT symptoms. There are clot busting drugs called thrombolytics placed directly into the clot through specially designed mechanical thrombectomy devices that help break-up and subsequently remove the clot,” said Dr Jindal further.